Universal primary education - a mirage as 30 million children remain out of school in Africa

By Eric Akasa

 

 Nearly 30 million primary school-aged children, mostly girls, are out of school in Africa and a global children’s charity Plan International (Plan) has warned that if the situation remains unchecked this will put paid hopes to achieve universal primary education by 2015.

Plan says in a report released today that although the abolition of school fees in most African countries has resulted in 52 million children enrolled in primary school over the past 10 years, 29 million children remain out of school.  

The report released during the launch of Plan’s three year campaign called “Because I am Girl” says while the last decade has seen girls’ enrolment in Africa increasing from 54% to 74%, about 16 million are out of school.

“Statistics show a huge national variations; in Ethiopia, for instance, girls’ enrolment has leapt from 30% to 75% over a decade, whilst in other countries such as Niger and Eritrea, it remains well under 60%,” the report entitled ‘Progress and Obstacles to Girls education in Africa,’ says.

“Despite the progress made in primary school enrolment in Africa over the past decade, the likelihood of achieving primary education in Africa by 2015 thus looks increasingly remote,” Plan says in the report says.

It says the transit rate from primary to secondary education across sub-Saharan Africa is 62%, but less than a quarter of secondary school-aged girls are enrolled in secondary education.

“It is indefensible that so many girls are still denied the right to education. This absence from school is not only unjust but it has a tragic and long-lasting impact upon the lives of so many girls and should no longer be tolerated. Our work has shown that supporting girls’ education is one of the single best investments we can make to help them break  the cycle of poverty,.” said Gezahegn Kebede, Plan International Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa.

Mr. Kebede added that: “In addition to being an intrinsic human right, education is one of the most effective means of tackling global poverty and that “better girls’ education improves maternal health, reduces child mortality, improves household nutrition and increases the potential workforce and opportunities for economic growth.”

The Because I am a Girl campaign buttresses United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s ‘Education First’ initiative and calls upon global leaders to prioritise girls’ education.

Martha Atuwaire (13), outgoing Speaker of Kamuli Girls Primary Children’s council in Uganda, says: “It is fantastic that the word celebrates the 1^st international girls’ day and this is going to make people change their attitude and start treating girls as important and equal as boys.”

“I also urge girls out there to advocate for their rights and make sure everything they need is said out,” she said.

Plan is calling for a minimum of 9 years schooling for girls and boys – which ensures a better transition to the critical stage of secondary education, says Adama Coulibaly, Plan’s Regional Director for West Africa.

“The challenge does not stop there. To ensure girls receive the empowering and transforming experience that education can offer, we must also look at girls’ experiences in schools...One of the most important factors in ensuring quality education and learning outcomes is having sufficient numbers of trained, well supported and motivated teachers,” Mr Coulibaly said.

“At a governmental level, individual ministries need to work together to coordinate efforts to tackle the social, economic and political barriers to girls’ education that cut across multiple sectors.  Schools must also take responsibility for providing a safe and gender equitable environment in which girls can obtain the qualifications and skills to ensure a self-determined and confident future,” he added.